Hurley-Burly: What's in a nickname?

As I made my annual trek around the Bay State the past few weeks covering various high school state tournaments, I was struck by a sudden revelation.

A lot of these schools may need to come up with some new nicknames soon.

The most recent push to ban all references to Native American mascots and logos at public schools across the state is back in full swing. It’s a movement, which if enacted, would affect countless schools across the state.

So if you’re a fan of the Indians, Red Raiders, Warriors, Sachems, and so on, you might have to change your rooting habits for your favorite teams.

The movement is based on the politically correct belief that these nicknames, and corresponding mascots and logos, are highly offensive and mean-spirited in their depiction of Native Americans.

But are they really?

I’ve been covering sports for over 20 years now, and I’ve yet to make any sense to this claim, especially coming from the schools or organizations they represent.

To me, a mascot has always been a source of pride for both the athletes and their fans. It’s something to rally around. And this is coming from someone who was technically a Golden Tornado, while attending his high school.

For many proponents to the proposed law, any reference to Native Americans is viewed as a negative. And the best way to combat it is to ban it entirely.

Lost in the shuffle in all of this, however, are the years of tradition and even historical significance behind the age-old symbols.

If you dig really deep into the understanding of some of them, you could probably learn a lot from it, about the city, the area, and maybe even the school itself.

Look no further than the legend of Chief Masconomet, a Sagamore Agawam chief during the time of the English colonization of America. He drew up the quitclaim deed, ceding all the tribal land, which extended from Cape Ann to the Merrimack River, spanning as far inland as North Andover and Middleton to the southwest end of the Danvers River, to John Winthrop and the settlers of eastern Essex County.

The chief’s legend is currently alive and well at Masconomet High School in Topsfield, but is probably now on the endangered species list by the PC police.

There is nothing defamatory about the Chieftains’ nickname, quite the contrary, but I’m sure that’s of little consequence to proponents of this legislation.

Now that’s just one example, but if you dig deeper into other schools with Native American nicknames, and others of that ilk, I’m sure there is also a story of note that should not be forgotten by succeeding generations. They should understand this proud heritage, not bury it.

I’ve yet to see any school make a mockery of its own mascot, or present it in a racially insensitive manner. So to claim all of these Native American mascots as suddenly offensive seems short-sighted in scope, at least from where I stand.

A mascot is only offensive to those who view it as such.

Maybe it’s just me. Maybe I’m just too upbeat and positive in my outlook and thinking on this issue, but I’ve yet to see any negative connotations behind any of those symbols.

And whenever I do hear someone argue against this, citing some vague misinterpretation of what these characters truly represent, it always comes off as a bit of a stretch.

Of course, if this ban does go into effect, where will it end?

I once saw comedian Jim Florentine perform a bit where he named all 32 National Football League teams, and systematically found something offensive about their nickname.

It was brilliant in its absurdity in that any name can be construed as offensive if you really go looking for it. The same holds true in the high school arena.

Will animal rights groups suddenly be up in arms that the Lions, Tigers and Bears are still being used as nicknames?

Will Crayola feel the need to ban the Big Blue due to copyright infringement?

Will Tornado victims (Golden or otherwise) boycott all Malden High games?

Will Renaissance Fairs make a formal protest at North Andover High School about the use of Scarlet Knights? Will the Burlington Red Devils be deemed too satanic?

The possibilities are endless.

I think people miss the point of mascots to begin with.

It’s something that was confirmed to me back in 2007, while watching a bunch of NHL mascots entertain a throng of fans at the NHL All-Star Game in Dallas, Texas.

As goofy and silly as some of them were, the common thread was that they were all smiling.

“They exude happiness,” one of my friends noted.

What’s so offensive about that?

Christopher Hurley is a sports editor for GateHouse Media New England’s North Unit, and he can be reached by email at churley@wickedlocal.com.